VERA OLIVE FRIESEN

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VERA OLIVE FRIESEN (nee SMART) Vera Olive Smart was born on January 7, 1925 in Keyes, Manitoba to English immigrant parents Florence Pettit and William Smart. Her father was the section foreman for Canadian Pacific Railway, so she and her eight siblings grew up beside the railway tracks in many now defunct towns around rural Manitoba. Vera moved to Winnipeg and met her future husband, Peter H. Friesen at the Lost and Found Eatons where she worked. They married on June 7, 1947 and lived on farms in southern Manitoba before settling with their seven children in Steinbach. Vera ran her own business, Friesen Chick Sales, in conjunction with the family business of Eastman Feeds. As the business grew, she made lifelong friendships in the Hutterite and Ukrainian communities. She had boundless energy and devoted that to travelling, hosting children's Christmas parties, Steinbach Arts' Council pool parties, Red Hat Society luncheons and Come Smell the Flowers garden tours every summer. She spent her final years at Rest Haven Nursing Home in the loving care of the staff with constant visits from family and friends and passed peacefully on February 6, 2015 just after her 90th birthday party. Vera is survived by her husband, Peter, of 67 years, her six children: Reg (Sylvia) of Cleveland, Ohio, Ron (Rhonda) of Steinbach, Kathryn (John Duggan) of New Westminster, BC, Carole Maureen of Calgary, AB, Douglas, and Wayne (Jackie) of Winnipeg; 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Her second son, Larry (Bonnie) of Brandon, was taken suddenly from Vera's heart in 2010. Also mourning her passing are her surviving siblings: Betty Forbes of Portage La Prairie, Donnie Smart (Elsie) of Winnipeg, Audrey (Stan Pearse) of Dominion City and Barry Smart of Winkler. She was predeceased by her parents, her sisters: Muriel McNiel, Jean Kane, Dorothy Smart, and her brother Allan Smart. Vera left a legacy of love, generosity and fond memories to all who knew her. The viewing will be held Friday, February 13, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. A viewing will also be held at the chapel prior to the service. A celebration of Mom's life will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy. 52 West, Steinbach, MB. Interment service will be held at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Vera may be made to the Steinbach Arts Council, 304 Second Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 0T7. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2015